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 Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 3:29 pm
 He knew she would need at least three to four days to recover and feed up. To start it off he had her stay at the water hole while he went hunting. Desher returned with a couple hares. He laid them down near her, "here eat these and then we can go." It was a small start anyhow. He waited patiently for her to finish. How was he going to get her back? The blindness could be awkward and he didn't want embarrass her.
Pondering, he rose slowly to his feet. "Um... So, how do you get around so well?" He coughed awkwardly. Desher had never dealt with someone who had a physical disability before. It imrpessed him that she didn't have a caretaker to keep her out of trouble. "What would be easiest for you?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 5:08 pm
She had finished the meal and it was pretty good, although it wasn't as filling as she'd like Lani wasn't going to complain. Desher had gone to the trouble of catching her food and she was thankful. However when he asked how she got around the lioness bowed her head, that was her secret... "I feel the vibrations in the ground. Its hard here, everything is fuzzy and sometimes if its too still I can't see it." She had told someone how she saw, "I can feel you breathing, I can see you standing there, but I only get an outline, not exactly the best image."
Why was it that whenever someone met her they treated her differently as soon as they figured out she was blind?! Lani wouldn't get angry though, it wasn't Desher's fault she couldn't see. "I can get wherever we're going. I'll just have to work harder to figure out my surroundings. The sand puts a damper on my seeing, but maybe if I spend enough time I'll figure it out."
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:39 pm
Desher tilted his head as he listened to how she 'saw' to move. It was certainly interesting and unusual. "The sand is loose. I wonder if that is why you are having problems." He opened his mouth to say more then closed it again. How could he say he was impressed by her abilities without sounding stupid? "That's pretty neat how you see. If you need any help just let me know."
He looked at her then started to walk slowly forward, heading back toward the temple. Desher hoped her method would work well enough. The only thing he would have been able to suggest was walking shoulder to shoulder. "So, where you from?" He tried to be cheerful in his concersation starter.
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 7:57 pm
His explanation as to why she couldn't see in the shifting sands was reasonable. Somehow she'd have to compensate her sight in the sands, how she wasn't sure but if she spent enough time here she'd eventually figure it out. "I'll just have to work twice as hard to figure it out with the extra movement." She stated in a matter of fact tone. "Thank you for the offer, but I think I can manage for now. I will confide in you if I need help though."
As she picked up her feet and sensed the world around her Desher questioned her. Where was she from? "I wasn't born in a pride. My family moved a lot, so I'm not exactly from any one place. Moving makes me feel good, but I want to eventually stop traveling. I want a place to call home, where I can feel safe." She sighed, following somewhat sluggishly behind him.
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:12 pm
The tan lion wondered if she could adapt if she was here long enough, though he didn't voice his doubts. It was remarkable that she was so independent. He glanced back at her respectfully. "Alright." How was it that she would find a means to get around on her own? There must be incredible will in her body. She could have so easily relied upon others to take care of her.
"Ah," that shot that impression down. She clearly traveled a lot more than he would have given credit for a blind lioness. Gratefully he hadn't said anything yet that would have made her irritated with him. Still he was doing her a favor by rescuing her and offering the pride's hospitalilty. "What would your ideal place to call home be like?" He asked suddenly in a spat of curiosity.
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 10:43 pm
Her footfals were a bit faster to keep pace with his as they continued. "Someplace safe for start. Someplace I wouldn't have to keep on guard all the time to make sure I get through to the next sunrise. I've always been running, I want to stop running. I want a place where others won't look at me like I'm totally different, they'll treat me well." She sighed, "I won't get that though. I was born a nomad, I will most likely die a nomad." She thought about those she had traveled or hunted with. Some of them always tried to do more for her because of her disability, but that wasn't what she wanted. Her independence kept her going. She wanted to be an equal and be safe. Of course, if the need came up that she needed to be in harms way, Lani would step in.
"Someplace that my children can grow up." She ended, "That is if I ever have children. Moving, I can't sit down to have cubs knowing that something is out there. And to have them close at all times is unfair for a cub also, but I don't want to have to rely on others to always help me out. I mean I'm thankful you helped me, don't get me wrong, but I don't want to make it a habit."
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 10:15 pm
Desher walked quietly for some time. He could understand where she was coming from; haven been ordered by the Pharoah to leave with a few other healthy members. His situation hadn't been nearly as dire as hers, but he felt he had an inkling of what she was going through. Not wanting to appear as a know-it-all he pondered how to answer her. He glanced back at her before he spoke.
"You will be safe here. The desert protects us well and we will protect you while you have sanctuary here." He said softly. It didn't sit well that she might not trust them to protect her, but it was also endearing to him. "Your life will be what you make of it Hokulani." Desher didn't want to think of her dying alone. He shifted uncomfortably as she mentioned cubs. Since his brother's daughter had reached adulthood he hadn't really thought of cubs as he had no mate.
"Yes it is hard to take care of cubs alone. It is much easier within a pride. Perhaps you will find some place that you feel you fit in." He had a smile as she restated her independence. "You're welcome. And it is my job out here. I could not in good conscious leave you out here to die." His feet shifted awkwardly as he tried to come up with the best way to say what he wanted. "We won't force you to leave. You can stay as long as you want."
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:25 pm
His words warmed her but she could feel the awkwardness vibrating off of him in waves. As to why he was so embarrassed she honestly didn't know, prying however was not the way she was. If Desher wanted to tell her then he would in due time. "I think I will take you up on that offer Desher-bik. It will give me time to hone my skills so that i might see this rough land of yours."
Knowing that she might feel safe here brought a feeling she hadn't had since she was a cub in her mother's warm embrace. Though it was a moment before she slipped in the sand and came tumbling down on Desher, bringing them both to the sands. Lani did play a crucial role in the tripping though, not that she was about to admit that she had wanted to snuggle up to the male who helped her, its just she could feel the warmth and safety. "Ooof. Sorry." Dipping her head, though nuzzling him just barely.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:11 am
It was silly of him to get so attached to this lioness he hardly knew. She would probably be leaving in a few days, he told himself. That did nothing to stop the swell of joy as she accepted his offer. "It would please me of provide any help you might need." He could only hope she would need at least a little assistance. Then maybe come to see for more than assistance. Desher shook his head at his foolish thoughts.
He barely had time to react, hearing the slipping of the sand. The tan lion turned just as the dusky lioness tumbled into his shoulder. Her extra weight catching him off balance sent him crashing to the sand on his side. He put up his paws to help catch her. "Are you alright Hokulani?" He smiled and did his best to help her to her feet. Rising to his feet aswell, Desher touched his nose to her shoulder. "Do you need to stop and rest?" Had he been pushing her too hard?
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:32 am
"Rest would be nice." She concluded, slipping to the sands. The sun's rays she could feel were dying on the horizon. Night would come soon and she remembered how cold it could get. "The cold's going to come isn't it?" She asked, a bit down. Now trying to snuggle closer, "Sorry, I just... I don't want to feel cold and you're the closest heat source I have out here."
Being forward wasn't her style and she didn't see this as being forward. This was survival. They couldn't keep traveling like this, or at least she couldn't. She was tired and hungry. "How much longer to shelter?" She asked.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:07 am
Desher berrated himself for not offering sooner. He might be accustomed to the desert, but she surely wasn't. His eyes caught the sun as it sank below the horizon. The sky painted for a moment in brililant colors. He blinked and looked at the lioness as he felt a soft hide against his. "Yes, the nights can get cold here." Desher gave her a quick ear lick to reassure her. "Would you like me to catch you something to eat?" The male had no quiams about hunting again, but didn't want to leave her alone if she was uncomfortable.
A practiced eye scanned the horizon. "At this pace, it would easily take half the night. We can rest here the night." Hopefully the other guardians wouldn't panic when he didn't return; Desher wasn't sure how he might explain this if they were found. He nudged her gently to the warm sands then went around and used his paw to scoop more sand around her like a nest. "It might be a bit grainy, but it'll help keep you warm."
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:19 pm
At the mention of food her stomach growled in response, angry at the fact that the meal before hand was not as hearty as she was used to. She was blind but she liked to hunt and hone her skills, the bigger the kill the more of a meal she'd have. Here in the desert things were different. His reassurance made her feel safe, even if he was going to go out and leave her. She was sure he'd return. The sands warmed her, just like they had before just more so because it was surrounding her now as opposed to just being under her.
"Thank you. for all that you've done and will do for me." She said, digging herself more into the sands for the warmth it provided.
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:48 pm
He gave an understanding chuckle as her stomach made her answer plain. "I'll see if I can't get something bigger than a couple scrawny hares. A good meal and plenty of sleep will see you ready for the day." Desher purred softly. He checked that she was settled and comfy before turning to leave. His head held high he wanted to bring down something big enough for both of them to enjoy a good meal. As she spoke, he turned his head back in surprise. What did she mean by that? He felt it best to go cautiously.
"You're welcome Hokulani. Rest and I'll return soon." Thus he left her to hunt.
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